“Get down!” Nathan shouted. Bullets are flying, grenades are exploding. Cold bodies are lying on the floor as Ashriel and her Cadre executed their plan.
“Boss! I found the hostages!” Raith shouted. Nathan and Natsuki cleared the area as Raith, Xieaniel, and John untied the children and led them outside. Nathan released his last grenade that ceased the fight. The place was cleared, many walls broke down, and sweat and blood were mixed on the old marble floor.
“Boss, one of the traitors is tied here.” Ashriel and Nathan came into a room where Leon was with one woman tied with chains and kneeling on the floor. Her face was covered with her auburn hair. Kate stepped forward and reached for her hair, clearing her face. She opened her light blue eyes and studied them.
“You’re one of the Second Rank Nobles that are under Amber Theupholis named Oriana Atherton, am I right?” Nathan clarified as he studied her face.
“Boss, she’s not on the list.” Olive bumped in, looking at her phone and back to Oriana.
“Release her,” Ashriel ordered Leon as Nathan examined the whole place.
“Fool, are you sure you want to click that?” Leon laughed that it took everyone’s attention. Oriana was holding a gun and pointing it at him. “Don’t ever do something that you’ll regret in the end.” His face dimed, sending shivers to her spine. In a split of a second, she held nothing, her head bowed down and her knees kneeling on the ground. Leon was now pointing the gun behind her head.
“Boss Zi, will you permit me to shatter her head?” Her eyes widened as she heard his words. Boss Zi?
“You’re not on the list. What is your business here?” Leon asked. He took every courage she has to lift up her head and speak. She must, or else she will lose her life.
“I beg your pardon for my misbehavior. Two of my men named Julius and Ceasar-“
“Julius and Ceasar, are you kidding us?” Leon interrupted.
“Why would I joke in this kind of situation? Please check your list, sir. I am telling the truth.” Olive quietly laughed and checked the list, then she waved her hand for Oriana to continue.
“Both of them are acting strangely. Two days ago, First General Nathan warned all of the Elite Forces about the traitors who entered Austere City, so I was alarmed.” She gulped as her injured left arm began to sting. “Last night, I followed them until we reached their hideout - this place, so that I can send information to Her Highness, yet they caught me.” She lowered her head.
“You’re brave, but you’re weak.” Ashriel walked towards her and uses her index finger to lift Oriana’s chin to meet her eyes. “Go, run and be strong. Don’t commit the same mistake again. Your braveness and loyalty are needed in this Kingdom. But I warn you, tell no one about this. Speak, and you’ll die. I have your records, and my eyes are on you.” She shivered, but a tear escaped from her eye as she nodded and dashed out of the room, leaving the old mansion and sealing her mouth.
Olive was about to speak, but Ashriel motioned her hand. “Not now, Olive. It’s still early.” She nodded her head, and they began to depart from the old mansion. The whole place was filled with the military and medical teams, helicopters and unmanned aircraft teams, and investigators. The authorities took care of the cold bodies inside the old mansion. The medical team dressed the wounded victims and suspects; some were carried to the ambulance, leading to the hospital.
“Diana, send some of your men to inspect the bodies. Find any marks or signs of the Quislings, then identify the city or Kingdom they are from. Olive, interrogate those who survived and do the same.”
“Okay.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Copy Boss.”
***
“Ashriel,” a very familiar voice called her name.
“Ashriel” she looked around but could not find the owner of the voice. For the third time, the voice echoed.
“Granny? Granny, where are you?!” there was a narrow, rocky path. She heard it again. The voice was somewhere beyond that road.
“Ashriel’” tears run through her cheeks. She ran but the big rock that she is holding stopped her.
“Granny, please, show me yourself. I missed you so much.” The path was long, her arms were swollen, but she did not let it go.
“Ashriel, release that. You cannot follow me here if you will keep on holding that.” She used all her strength to run and grab her hand.
“Wait for me!” Catching her breath, she opened her eyes. The room was cold, but her face was full of sweat.
“I will.” He answered with his gentle smile. Her heart was racing like a horse running down a hill. He put his palm on her face and swept away few strands of her ginger red hair.
“Nightmare?” She looked up and met Nathan’s ocean blue eyes, still panting.
“Sort of.” Ashriel straightened. Her face was pale and strained. She removed his hand from her cheeks and fixed her hair.
“I don’t know why you don’t answer your phone or come out of your room, so I entered. The Cadre meeting with the Elder assigned will start fifty-five minutes from now.” He said and raised from the bed. She frowned but nodded reluctantly. It took her several moments before she gathered her thought back to reality.
Forty-five minutes past seven in the morning, Ashriel and her Cadre reached the Meeting Hall. There, a woman in her mid-forties can be seen sitting in the Elder’s chair. Xieaniel froze. He knew her more than anyone in this room.
“Mom?” She looked at him straight in the eyes. Her gaze sent a quiver down his spines.
“You are all fifteen minutes late.” They sat down faster than a flash of lightning. He huffed, knowing that his mother is the Elder assigned to help them with their mission. Kitori Mizuki, Head Tactician of the Kingdom of Theupholis’ Elite Forces. She is known for her intelligence and tactics.
“A letter of help came from the Kingdom of Kauis. There are multitudinous reports about missing women for the past five months. The authorities found clues and information regarding this incident, yet they cannot arrest even one suspect. I’ve studied the files they sent, and as you can see from the papers you are holding, this mission is facile for us, so we only need less force. That means only the ten of you are needed.” She flipped the paper that she is holding.
“Kingdom of Kauis? Why is it that Kauis has the highest percentage of incidents this year?” Raith asked.
“What do you expect to a compromising kingdom?” Ashriel blurted out. “Where will this mission take place?” Closing the folder, Ashriel focused her eyes on Lady Kitori.
“Considering their movements in the given data, it would be at the 56th floor of the Hotel de Grande at the capital of the city of Ren. They should meet tonight to make their move. I already sent someone to install our hidden cameras there.”
“Good. But the Grand Event will take place tonight at the main palace. We are all aware that the Elders will let some people outside the Austere City come. This is the most dangerous event that we will throw this year. Since Thaddeus and my brother oversee security, I want them to be excused in this mission and secure the event.” Leon frowned. He wanted to object, but he has no choice. That’s an order.
***
“Calm down, Leon. Don’t you like it? Guarding this place is easier than fighting there.” Natsuki laughed. He knew that Leon does not want to stay still while the High Members are fighting. The evening had started. Under the gloomy night sky, several noble cars were stationed in one yard of the colorful banquet hall. Countless Austerian and non-Austerian citizens entered the palace that seems to be endless in space.
“Sir, may I go somewhere?” Leon asked.
“Take your time.”
Various pretty women tried to get Leon’s attention, but he did not lay an eye to even one of them. He hates squeaky women. A total opposite of Raith. Natsuki looked around to check the place. Many familiar people are present. My men are guarding, how about I’ll have some fun? He smirked.
“Hey,” a woman wearing a mustard yellow gown approached him. “Pass me the Champaign.” She said, pointing the glass of Champaign beside Natsuki.
“Faster. You’re a staff of a very famous palace, yet you’re serving so slow?” She hissed. Natsuki’s face dimmed.
“Do I look like a staff?” The woman stopped. She examined him from head to toe.
“May I know your name?” He asked with his gentle voice and smile. She raised her eyebrow and smiled at him.
“Barbarra. Barbarra Ceyde. Daughter of Thoman Ceyde, one of the business tycoons in this Kingdom. And you?” She stated proudly. Ceyde huh? Pathetic.
“Oh, I see. Miss Barbarra, I am Amaziah Natsuki La Elora Cerveil, grandson of the late Ruler of this Kingdom.” Her eyebrow drops down, and her heart started to race rapidly, fully aware that she insulted the wrong person.
“Thomas Ceyde is the Chairman of Ceyde Enterprises, am I right?” He smirked. “Ceyde Enterprises is now the acquisition of our family’s company because of bankruptcy. Right, Miss Barbarra?” His smile is still present, but his tone was sarcastic.
“Since you are a Ceyde, I suppose you don’t live here at Austere since your family is not wealthy enough to buy a land here.” Barbarra gulped. Tiny beads of sweat started to form on her forehead. She stepped back as Natsuki leaned forward, hand inside his pocket, aiming to speak on her ears.
“Do you not know that I can destroy your company in just a snap of my finger?” He whispered. Her eyes widened like a plate.
“What happened, Miss Barbarra? It is quite cold in here. Why are you sweating?” Her ice-cold hand reaches her handkerchief, trying to avoid his gaze. “Next time you provoke me, I’ll bury you alive.” She froze in fear. Natsuki left her and continued to join the crowd. He despises people with unpleasant behavior because of their high social status. Especially those who think highly of themselves. He walked around, looking for the pretty lady he saw a while ago.
Natsuki searched the whole place. More than fifteen minutes passed, at the corner of the hall, he saw the woman he was searching for. Wearing a beautiful smile, he sauntered towards her. The woman saw Natsuki and threw a questionable look, but the two men beside her bowed down.
“Lady Mix, right?” He asked with his charming smile. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her head tilted, giving him a more questionable look.
“May I know-“ he motioned his hand to silence her.
“Oh yeah, you’re the new heir of the Tethoris Kingdom, so I’m not familiar with you yet.” Mix examined him from the head down to the toe. Confusion covered her face, wondering who the man is standing in front of her.
“Tell me your name, then perhaps, I can recognize you.”
Natsuki formally introduced himself to Mix. She gazed at him for a moment before she knelt. Panicking, Natsuki pulled her up.
“But you are the older brother of Her Highness Zillian and the soon–to–be Head of House Cerveil. You also oversee the training of the Elite Forces of Aparctias Kingdom. Isn’t this the proper greeting, sir? P-pardon me, my name is Zaphora Mix Ronus.” She hesitated, unsure if she will look at him in the eyes or not.
“It is. But not in this type of gathering. I don’t want to stick out like a sore in the thumb.” Realizing what she did, she quickly looked at the surroundings. Fortunately, no one saw them except for her two bodyguards.
“Do you like to dance?” Natsuki asked, offering his right hand.
“I beg your pardon General, but I cannot. To avoid any conflicts, I need to observe my people.”
“No need. My men are guarding the whole place and so do your people. Besides, you’re a noble. Let your men do the job.” His dark blue eyes captivated her. Natsuki winked at Mix’s bodyguards.
“Can you two observe the whole place while your Lady enjoys the party?” Both smiled and agreed.
“My hand is numbing. Are you going to refuse me or not?” She looks uncertain, so her bodyguards pushed her to him, and Natsuki grabbed her hand. Her dark green gown flew with the motion of their dance. After a moment, they disappeared into the mob.
To fulfill her mission, her primary obligation was to escape and to do that, she must preserve her body and mind. She sat in a corner, pulled her legs up to her chest, and wrapped her arms around her knees. She tried to sleep fitfully. A well-built man in a dark hoodie and mask covering almost his entire face walked towards her cell, alerting her. “Who are you? You’re not a dungeon guard.” She asked fiercely. “Your older brother will kill you after the event. You should escape now. Don’t waste any time.” He drew out a silver key from his pocket and opened the gate. “Move faster.” Oriana hesitated for a while before moving her feet out the gate. He gave her a medium size bag and took her hand before running away. His big hands felt familiar. &nb
It is obvious that they are prioritizing the First Rank Noble’s objective more than her welfare. Oriana was stung by the injustice of what had happened. She needs to escape, but how? That grumpy man keeps on threatening her. The room was quite big. The Full XL size bed pushed against the wall left space for a desk, the restroom at the edge. It is the biggest prison room she had ever seen. It is past four in the morning. The Grand party was done, everyone was exhausted. Her eyes are still wide awake, hoping that they will not lock her forever. She leaped to her feet as she remembered that the door was not locked. It had taken her much of the night to calm down after her second encounter with the vicious High Members. This is her perfect time to escape. Slowly, she opened the door and peaked outside. There is no guard. She slowly wal
The meeting started at exactly ten in the morning. As Ashriel's spoke man, Nathan called the Head of the Families, Nobles, and Lady Kitori and Lady Octavia as the representatives of the Elders. Still, as expected, Amber did not attend and sent the twins as the representative. Every High Member is present except for Oriana and Leon “I suppose everyone is here. Shall we start?” Every ear focused on Nathan attentively. Ashriel silently sat on her golden chair, wearing her face mask, black contact lenses, and black wig, for no one can see her face until she reaches legal age. “I believe that everyone present in this hall is aware of the fallen Atherton family.” He started. “After the Great Revolt of the Quislings, three members of the said family survived, and two of them are here with us.” Nathan shot a q
Her rapid breathing sounded as her body trembled. Her eyes glued at the woman in her late sixties with chains wrapped around her frail body. The chains dig deeper into the flesh with every move. Her terror mounted with every breathing. "Zillian, my dear nephew. Observe as your beloved grandmother enjoys the pain she deserves." "Granny!" Ashriel shouted in terror when Edom slapped Meredith with his gun. Blood flowed out of her nose. She reached her arms and tried to run towards her, but two men pulled her down and stomped her stomach. Shallow spikes from their winter combat pierced through her stomach. Her sharp shackles dug deeper into her skin, making her howl like a wounded animal as blood spurted. Edom laughed eerily.
“Pardon me. I can’t hear you, boss. I’ll send the information later.” Olive grinned her teeth listening to the dog named Raith, and the cat named Kate grumbles at the kitchen counter. “I said, let me do it!” Kate shouted angrily as she reached for the knife, tiptoeing her feet. “No! I’ll do it!” Raith lifts up the kitchen knife and the meat, making Kate jump from time to time. The chefs and kitchen staff standstill with sweat forming on their foreheads as they silently watched the scene. Kate was about to argue when a loud bang silenced them. Olive was irritated. “What if I’ll cut the heads of both of you? Will that knock you off?” She retorted, trying to control her tone and her temper, but the chefs and staff flinched. &nb
“No. It will be dangerous for Oriana to secretly investigate that syndicate group.” Kate objected. A letter of help came and so, all High Members were present at the Meeting Hall. “Please, I want to be of assistance to everyone. I’m familiar with the Sei Language, and we once tried to investigate that group. So, among all of us here, I am the one compatible for this mission.” Oriana pleaded, kneeling on the floor. “I’m against it. What would we do if the worst thing will happen?” Biting her lips, Olive opposed her. Her eyes were filled with anxiousness. “Do you have any proposal you would like to suggest?” Nathan asked. “We could
“You bastard! Come out!” One man shouted. Kate felt her heart beats faster. She did not bring her gun with her. “I said come out!” She heard their footsteps getting nearer. She scanned her jacket and pockets. Good thing she has her knife. But what can a knife do against a gun? She quickly shifted her position but lost her balance when a strong hand pulled her down. She swayed her hand to stab the person with her knife, but the man quickly grasps her hand, slicing the palm of the man’s hand. Kate’s eyes widened upon seeing the man on top of her. “R-Rai-“ “Shhh Close your eyes.” Raith shushed her and pin her hands on her side. Kate frowned. This is not the right time to joke around. “What are you-mph.” Kate gawked when Raith pressed their lips together. It was not gen
“They run a huge illegal business of Arm trafficking. I heard that they trade contraband arms and ammunition to different places. I also confirmed that they kidnap children and sold them.” Oriana reported. It was past eleven in the evening. But the team gathered at the Meeting Hall with Lady Kitori, unravelling the main root of this case, fully awake. “Frank Edison. That’s the name of their boss.” She continued. Olive frowned upon hearing the name. Leon and John turned their heads towards her, bewildered. “That confirmed it.” Kate blurted out of nowhere. Their eyes shifted from Oriana to Kate who’s sitting still, crossed arms. “What do you mean, Lady Kate?” Oriana asked. “Remember when I followed the three men who left your table?” Oriana paused for a moment, remembering what happened, then nod in confirmation. “I followed them and overheard their conversation with someone from the phone. I heard Sir Frank’s voice, yet I thought I was just imagining t